Week Ending 27th June
Conditions remained settled and warm across Deeside for much of last week, with the river holding low and steady rather than receiving anything resembling a useful lift. While the wider UK baked under a record-breaking June heatwave, Deeside, mercifully, was hot rather than extreme, though the combination of bright conditions and low flows did little to suggest a week of easy fishing. There were thundery outbreaks around Scotland later in the week, but on the Dee, these amounted to little more than a sultry atmosphere. Overall, rods had to work hard for their rewards. Several beats commented on the wonderful sight of elvers migrating- one of nature’s wonders and a reminder of the simple joys of being by the river.
Monday produced half a dozen fish, including a couple of 12lbrs. Rob Bull had one of those, followed by a grilse at Carlogie. Aboyne’s Stephen Moir had the other 12lbr at Dess, where several fish were lost in play during the early part of the week, including one stalwart that managed to jam a fly line between rocks. Unlucky Paul. Better to have loved and lost and all that. Nicol Paton reports that they had a grilse at Birse.
Campbell had a good Monday morning, landing two grilse and a sea trout at Banchory. The Executioner was the fly of choice.
Fishing at Park on Tuesday, Adam Shaw defied the bright sun as he hooked and landed a thumper of 16lb in the Long Pool. Grilse were also landed by Peter Dawson from the Hotel Pool at Banchory and John Mills from S Pool at Invery.
Wednesday was glum all round, with no salmon and three sea trout landed. Scotland were also given a doing by Brazil, just to round off hump day.
Thursday was similarly quiet, with John Miller landing the only salmon of the day from Ballogie.
Park had another on Friday. William Foster reports:
“Spanish guest Mauricio Alcala was fishing Park Inn on Friday morning. He put out a big cast and literally as his fly hit the water, bang, fish on! A lovely sea-liced 7lber to celebrate. Well done Mauricio.”
Matthew Gordon landed a resident fish of 11lb from the Mill Pool at Dess on Friday, following a couple of frustrating on-and-offs. Nigel Braithwaite had a nice plump sea trout as well, while Crathie added a third salmon for the day.
Martin “Froggy” Kennedy rounded things off for Dess on Saturday with another resident fish, this time 10lb, from the upper beat.
Saturday’s other fish came from in and around the Inchmarlo area. Little Blackhall and Inchmarlo had two of them, while Cairnton produced a grilse from the Grey Mare. Craig Murdoch also landed Upper Blackhall’s first grilse of the season from the Corner Pool.
There is, of course, no proven connection between England beating Panama and the slight upturn in catches on Saturday. While their adventure continues, the rest of us can now turn our sporting attentions to Wimbledon and the arrival of the grilse.
Outlook
Looking ahead, conditions appear more favourable than of late, with cooler air, more cloud and showers through the week. The river begins low and steady, so any improvement will depend on whether the forecast rain, particularly later in the week, amounts to more than decorative dampness. Even a modest freshen would be welcome, but for now the outlook is one of better fishing conditions rather than a definite change in river height.
The ghillies will have their own thoughts on fly choice, but the usual mix of small dressed doubles, Silver Stoats, Crathies, small Cascades, Flamethrowers and similar patterns should cover most eventualities. Full floating lines and a mix of polyleaders remain the basic staple. Also, as was rightly suggested to me the other day, don’t forget the hitch.
As ever, listen to your ghillie!
Ross Macdonald
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